Lakers Lose Nail Biting Game vs. Jazz Tuesday Night

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

Tough break. I just saw the highlights of this game and two things came into question: 1) Why didn't they go for the tie for OT (I understand they had no timeouts) and 2) Why didn't D'Lo find Lou early as they got across half court? Should be a learning experience in situational basketball. Julius Randle had a career game and was the only starter in double figures with 25 points and 12 rebounds on 9-12 shooting, but the Lakers drop a tough one against the Jazz 102-100. Once again, Lou Williams displays great bench play with 22 points. Jordan Clarkson bounced back with 12 points after a rough outing on Christmas Day with the Clippers and Thomas Robinson added 10 points off the bench.

Final Score: vs. Utah 102-100 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161227/UTALAL#/recap

Highlights: *courtesy of Ximo Pierto* 

Next Game: vs. Dallas (12/29) <-- b="" be="" busy="" day="" full="" o="" open="" or="" posts="" recap="" that="" thread="" will="">

Lakers Run L.A. on Christmas Day with Win Over Clippers

Welcome in to the full recap of the Lakers' hallway matchup with the Clippers where the Lakers weathered their 4th quarter woes in blowing big leads as they hold on to beat the Clippers 102-111.

As usual, I would like to start off by saying Merry Christmas to the Laker Nation. I hope you guys had a good time with your family and unwrapping gifts under the tree while enjoying some NBA games. Now onto this game, I've seen it live on why this has been such a down month for the Lakers. Don't get me wrong, I'll take the win, but they gotta take that next step in protecting a big lead. This team is young and yes, this is part of the growing pains. But, I loved the effort in the first three quarters, especially the third quarter. The Lakers took it to the Clippers and that was probably their best output in this month on both ends of the floor. What matters the most is that the Lakers snapped a 3-game losing streak on Christmas Day and reminded the Clippers that L.A. is, was, and always will be Laker town.

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Timofey Mozgov, 19 points, 8-11 shooting. I'd have to recheck, this must be Mozgov's best game of the season offensively. He had the shooting touch. Most of his shots were mid-range jumpers this game and I can hear nothing but the sound of the net splashing whenever he took those shots. DeAndre Jordan was daring him so shoot and he kept knocking them down. Way to go Mozzy.

Luol Deng, 13 points, 12 rebounds. I gotta say, Deng is playing a little better during this month. He has a knack for going off and then disappearing in the next game, but his performance is getting much better. This game was one example. Deng mustered some solid offense, but he was a beast on the boards. He managed to take full advantage of the Clippers not having Blake Griffin and kept a lot of possessions alive for the Lakers. 5 of his rebounds were on the offensive side and he lead the team in that category tonight.

Nick Young, 19 points, 6-9 shooting. Nick Young continues to play with a chip on his shoulder on both sides of the ball. 5-7 from beyond the arc and most of the three pointers he took were timely buckets that the Lakers needed. The Clippers were making a run, Swaggy P hits a three. Another run, another three to provide much needed cushion. He played a solid game on this win.

Julius Randle, 13 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists. Congrats on the new baby big man! Every game, Randle has shown he can be a double-double machine, sometimes a triple-double machine. The defensive deficiencies are still there that make Randle a liability, but he was aggressive when needed to be and he's making the offense stagnant. It's unbelievable he didn't commit a single turnover this game! This is a Clippers team that has a knack for generating turnovers defensively. We need more games like these where Randle plays with more control of the ball.

(-)

Bench play. The 2nd unit has been good all season long, but I'd say this was one of their subpar games. Lou Williams had 14 points and Brandon Ingram with 10 points, but this unit allowed the Clippers to get back into the game after the starters put up a clinic. The offense of the 2nd unit was stagnant throughout the 4th quarter. They were missing shots and tried to be a little fancy with the ball movement. The unit as a whole accounted for 8 of the teams' 13 turnovers. Clarkson had an off game with 5 points on 2-9 shooting. Of course, Larry Nance, Jr. is out for a couple of weeks so the team is going to have to rely on Thomas Robinson to step up. It wasn't the best performance from the bench, but the silver lining, they did enough in critical moments as the starters got back into the game to finish it off.

MVP

Luol Deng, 13 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks

Like I said, he's playing better and this was possibly his best game as a Laker. He was doing it on both ends on the floor and grabbed key offensive rebounds to give the Lakers 2nd chances against this Clippers team.





Conclusion

Certainly, this was a month to forget about as the Lakers just kept losing game after game. Most of the games, they were up big and they blow it eventually in the 2nd half. But, this win on Christmas Day is like a breath of fresh air. This is all part of the process in the development of this young team. They'll eventually figure out to put the game out of reach when they build up a humongous lead like tonight when they put up 34 points in the 3rd quarter and lead as many as 15 points. This was certainly a bounce back game that the Lakers needed in order to regain their swagger and confidence back that they could compete with anyone. It's a process, we have to remind ourselves that. The wins will come and will boost the growth of this team. Trust the process. Merry Christmas guys and I'll see you guys on the next nationally televised game.

12/25: Christmas Day - LAKERS vs. Clippers 2nd Half Open Thread and Discussion

The 2nd half of the Lakers-Clippers battle for L.A. on Christmas Night. As usual, leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the game.

Q4

LAC 102 LAL 111

This is a month to forget about, but this is a great victory against a good team. My only gripe is that they almost blew a big time lead again. The Clippers made this a game this quarter, but clutch shots by Lou Williams, Nick Young, and D'Angelo Russell ultimately sealed this game. Meltdown averted on this Christmas night and the Lakers snap the Clippers' win streak in head-to-head meetings. Stay tuned for the full recap. 

Q3

LAC 74 LAL 89

Where was this effort during this December skid? If I remember, the Lakers would start fast in the first half and then fizzle out. Complete opposite this quarter. Mozgov is getting buckets. Deng and Randle are attacking the boards. This is the kind of effort we want out of the Lakers during their tough sledding in this month. They should keep this up in the 4th quarter. Starters are doing their job, but the bench has to step up. That means Sweet Lou and JC have to go for the knockout blow in the 4th.

12/25: Christmas Day - LAKERS vs. Clippers 1st Half Open Thread and Discussion

Welcome to the first half of the Christmas Day battle for L.A. as the Lakers take on the Clippers. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the game.

Q2

LAC 58 LAL 55

Lakers are hanging around out there. Entertaining quarter to say the least as both teams exchanged baskets. Offensively, the Lakers picked it up late in the 1st quarter. Lou Williams made a couple of buckets to spark plug the offense. As usual, the Lakers can always rely on Sweet Lou to come off the bench and provide scoring when needed. Hopefully, he starts to heat it up in the 2nd half considering the way this game is going. Brandon Ingram continues to struggle with his outside shot, but I liked how aggressive he was in this quarter and that's encouraging to see. We know Ingram is a smart player for his age and we want to see Ingram to be more aggressive to the hoop. He made some spurts as I said and he's almost in double-figure point totals. Nick Young leads the team in scoring with 11 points. All of his shots were from deep and considering the defense cannot stop the Clippers offense, as long as Swaggy P hits his 3-point shots, the Lakers have a chance. Defensively, they're displaying the same problems they've probably shown in their December slump. J.J. Redick and the Clippers are having their way and that's a scary thought since the Clippers are playing without Griffin or CP3. Luckily, the Lakers are only down 3. They have to continue to move the ball and strive for high percentage shots. Defensively, I don't know what to say. They need to have someone other than J.J. Redick to take a shot for the Clippers. The 2nd half open thread will open shortly.

Q1

LAC 31 LAL 27

Clippers playing without Chris Paul and Blake Griffin? This should be a lot less difficult. Not the case that first quarter. But, the Lakers are making a run as the quarter winded down. Of course, I see with my own eyes that the defense continues to be an issue. There's a reason why the Lakers have been slumping this month because they couldn't concentrate their energy on the defensive of the ball. The start was rough here as the Clippers offense were having their way. J.J. Redick was hot early to balloon the Clipper lead. Laker offense was a little stagnant midway through the quarter, but they've picked it up late to cut this deficit to four.

Raiders Beat Colts, But Carr Injured

Raider Nation, I'm sure you have the same sentiments as I do. Truly, this was the worst Christmas gift we could ask for. The Raiders took care of business against Andrew Luck and the Colts in a 25-33 victory, but if you guys have not heard the news, Derek Carr is injured with a broken fibula and is out indefinitely for the season. We could be celebrating that we're 12-3 and hopefully with a KC loss tomorrow, the Raiders will clinch the AFC West and a possible first round bye in the playoffs. But the Raiders just lost the heart and soul of this team and it affects the morale of the players and the morale of us, the Raider Nation.

This post will be an informal full recap of the game. I was able to listen to portions of the game on 95.7 The Game with Greg Papa making the call while I was doing my last-minute errands for the holidays. The final score is deceptively close. Offensively, the Raiders pounded the Colts through the air and on the ground. Derek Carr outperformed Andrew Luck this game, throwing for 228 yards and 3 scores while Luck managed more yardages with 288 yards and 2 scores, but he also committed 2 INTs. On the ground game, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard were absolute studs today. DeAndre was the bigger stud as he broke out for 99 yards and two scores. Richard had 66 yards on the ground, but caught a receiving touchdown. I remember hearing Greg Papa's call on one of Washington's TD runs and the highlights after I got home. Washington was making the Colts defense miss. We also gotta give credit to the left side of the O-line. Penn, Hudson, and K.O., there's a reason why the left side is in the Pro Bowl. They absolutely demolished the Colts' D-Line to give Washington a big hole for a 2nd rushing TD.

Carr's injury was a big blemish, but there are also a few more negatives. Two missed PATs by Janikowski was an obvious negative. After seeing the highlights, the 2nd PAT by Sebass after Carr found Richard for a TD was blocked. However, those minor things come back to haunt teams at the end. And considering we're talking Andrew Luck and the Colts, the missed PATs are scarier. Another negative, the team was penalty happy during the 4th quarter. I was looking through the live feed of my Yahoo Sports app and I keep seeing "Oakland committed a 10 yard penalty" or "Oakland committed a 15 yard penalty." The offense was in Indy territory and then several penalties backed them up big time back into their own territory. This was all before Carr went down after twisting foot as the Colts' Trent Cole came in with the sack. Overall, the Raiders finished with 10 penalties for almost 100 yards. Really inexcusable, especially when they had such a big lead.

The other thing that grinded my gears here was that the Raiders were going for the knockout pass with Matt McGloin under center in over 4 minutes in the 4th quarter. A McGloin incomplete pass stopped the clock at 4:04 in the 4th quarter and the Colts were down by two possessions. Essentially, they just saved the Colts from using a timeout when they had two remaining plus the two-minute warning. In that situation, run it, and force them to use that timeout. I'm sorry, I still have nightmares abotu the game against the Lions in the 2011 season. Carson Palmer threw an incomplete pass to Chaz Schilens and ultimately, Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson came back to beat them after being down two scores. Back to the present hour, on the next Raiders possession, they did it again, but thank goodness Coop made the acrobatic catch to seal the deal. Those kinds of plays can give the coach and offensive coordinator major props or major scrutiny.

This team has to find a way to pull together. Yes, Carr is the engine that keeps the Raiders moving. Losing him sucks. It absolutely sucks. And it definitely punched us in the gut. We have all these Super Bowl aspirations after clinching the playoff berth last week in San Diego, but Carr's recent injury put a halt to that for the moment. It is now in the hands Matt McGloin. We know McGloin can ball. We've seen it first hand in 2013 even though those games didn't translate into wins. We have to remember, McGloin hasn't seen action as a full game starter since that season. I'm not counting the Bengals game last season since he took over for Carr when 25% of the game progressed. Obviously, Connor Cook is not ready. The team has to rally around McGloin as the quarterback. We have to rally around McGloin. This team also has to rally around Khalil Mack because he's gonna take on bigger responsibilities as the team leader now that Carr is likely done for the season. I've seen a lot of fight and resiliency in this team all season long. They have to continue to embody the motto of "Just Win Baby" and continue to do so "by any means." But it's also important to send Carr good wishes and support for a fast, full recovery. That's our quarterback. And we hope he comes back stronger than ever to lead the Raiders to greatness for years to come. I'll see you guys next week.

Raiders-Colts Coverage Canceled

Unfortunately, there's still a couple more things I have to do, so I won't be able to provide open thread and full recap posts. I wish the Raider Nation a Merry Christmas. All we want for Christmas is a Raiders win today and a Chiefs loss tomorrow!

Lakers' Tough Sledding Continues with Loss to Magic

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

The Lakers blew big leads the last two games. In tonight's game, it looked like they were beaten soundly by the Magic. It's brutal these last few games, but this is part of the growing pains of this young Lakers squad. Luol Deng was the Lakers' top performer, recording a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds to go with 3 assists and 1 block in the 90-109 loss to the Magic. I'm starting to think that the Lakers have not won a game yet this season when Deng has an above average game. D'Angelo Russell lead all scorers in the starting lineup with 15 points. Jordan Clarkson lead the bench with 18 points and 5 rebounds, but struggled handling the ball committing 5 turnovers. Lou Williams followed with 13 points despite a woeful 3-11 shooting night.

Final Score: @ Orlando 90-109 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161223/LALORL#/recap

Highlights: *To be posted*


Next Game: vs. LA Clippers (12/25) <-- and="" b="" full="" open="" posts="" recap="" thread="">

Lakers-Heat Coverage Canceled

Hey guys, I promised to resume activities on covering Laker games today and on Christmas Day when they face the Heat and the Clippers respectively. Today, I'm gonna have to cancel the open thread and full recap posts on the Lakers' matchup vs. the Heat. I got somewhere to be in two hours and I will be back by the time the game has already ended. So, sorry about that, but I will definitely cover the Lakers-Clippers Christmas Day game. I'll hold you guys to that.

Lakers Drop Another Road Game vs. Hornets

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

I just watched the first half highlights of this game and I'm comprehending how in the world did the Lakers wound up losing this game? The official box score notes that the Hornets outscored the Lakers 40-58 in the 2nd half. I'm sure it had to do with defensive deficiencies and they just went ice cold in the 2nd half after a hot start in the 1st half. Jordan Clarkson lead the team with 25 points off the bench to go with 3 rebounds and 5 assists, but the Lakers couldn't hold on to the lead, losing to the Hornets in Charlotte 113-117. Lou Williams provided 16 points and Larry Nance Jr. added 10 points off the bench. For the starters, Nick Young lead all scorers with 24 points. D'Angelo Russell followed scoring 15 points to go with 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Luol Deng also followed, chipping in 11 points and 7 rebounds.

Final Score: @ Charlotte 113-117 [L]

Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161220/LALCHA#/recap

Highlights: *courtesy of Ximo Pierto*

Next Game: @ Miami (12/22) <= Open Thread Discussion and Full Recap Posts

Raiders Top Chargers to Clinch Playoff Berth for the First Time Since 2002

Welcome in to the full recap of the Raiders' Week 15 matchup vs. the San Diego Chargers in San Diego where 14 years of no playoffs come to an end as the Raiders beat the Chargers 19-16 to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since the Super Bowl season in 2002!

Playoffs? We talking about playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? Yes we are! And damn, does it feel great! I've been waiting for this moment since I was 9 years old. They came so close in 2011 and the Chargers just had to spoil our hopes and dreams. That's not happening this time around Chargers. Not this time. No question, the start was concerning as the defense allowed an opening touchdown for the first time in forever. The offense committed two turnovers in scoring position. But, we should know by now, coming from behind has been the narrative for the Raiders this season. As Khalil Mack would say: by any means. And the Raiders just found a way to win and punch their ticket to the postseason.

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The running game. Latavius Murray as usual, lead all running backs in rushing with 81 yards on 13 carries. Jalen Richard had 36 yards on 6 carries. DeAndre Washington, welcome back, had 23 yards on 5 carries. All of the running backs were running hard out there and were finding the right holes that were opened up by the O-line. Aside from the fumble in the first half, Murray rekindled a little bit of his 2014 form, finding the holes and making quick decisions. He made the running game explosive and that proved to be the difference maker. Richard and Washington had some solid runs in the first half. I've said it countless times that I love our running back by committee and today, they showed how effective they are when all three get touches.

Michael Crabtree, 6 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD. Broken finger? No problem. Arguably, his best highlight today was that close call TD he had in the end zone for the Raiders to tie it up before the first half ended. Whenever Crabs has a bad game, he just goes to work and bounces back. It was evident last week in the Kansas City game where he was pretty much bottled up. Today, he bounced back with a solid game and pretty much dominated all the targets.

Bruce Irvin, 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble. The Chargers knew they had to account for Khalil Mack and they did. Mack was held without a sack today. That was the queue that Bruce Irvin needed to step up and create some pressure on Philip Rivers. And Brucie came through, especially late in the 4th quarter. He got a big time sack to put the Chargers back almost into their own end zone to create 4th down. When the Chargers went for it, Bruce put the heat on Rivers again and it forced Rivers a throw to Reggie Nelson for the INT. 

Sebastian Janikowski, 4 field goals, 1 PAT. How bout that? Sebass is the last remaining player on the active roster the last time the Raiders made the playoffs. It's gotta be special for him and he turned back the clock as the old reliable Sebass. The offense couldn't get anything going, Sebass came through with a couple of field goals for the Raiders to stay in the game. Offense stalled at the end of the game and Sebass delivered with a clutch field goal to put the Raiders up three. He almost missed again, but that kick just squeaked inside the uprights and the Raiders would eventually hold on to the lead.

(-)

Red Zone offense. There's no question Carr being in shotgun formation 100% of the time is costing the Raiders some red zone opportunities as of late. They've been good all season long. In scoring positions, the Raiders committed 2 turnovers. Murray had a fumble which was bad. Carr had an INT, which was also bad. They tried to go for the knockout blow, but the Chargers goal line defense stood tall. We have to hope that pinky finger heals up soon so the offense can start turning up the jets again.

MVP

Bruce Irvin, 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 force fumble

BRUUUUUUUUUCE!!!!!!! As I said, the Chargers had their attention on Mack and Irvin stepped up when it mattered the most. The guy can close out a game when called upon.






Conclusion

We going to the playoffs! We going to the playoffs! Kansas City lost today and the Raiders are back in first place in the AFC West. This season has been such an emotional roller coaster, but Raider Nation, we've stuck through and our team delivered by any means necessary. No matter how far the Raiders finish after this season, this is going to be a magical season to remember regardless. Reggie McKenzie, Jack Del Rio, and Mark Davis all deserve a round of applause as each had a role on bringing back the winning ways of the Raiders. The division is theirs to lose now. Win out and clinch that first round bye. Playoffs baby! PLAYOFFS!!!!!! I'll probably see you guys next week for the game against the Colts. There's a lot of stuff I have to do on Christmas Eve, so let's see how it goes. Stay tuned for an announcement.

Week 15: RAIDERS @ San Diego Chargers 2nd Half Open Thread and Discussion

The 2nd half of the Raiders-Chargers Week 15 divisional matchup with a playoff clincher on the line. As usual, leave a comment below the post on your thoughts on the game.

Q4

OAK 19 SD 16

I am so elated right now! It's happened! It's finally happened! We're playoff bound!!!!!! Oh man, another down-to-the-wire win. It didn't go as well as planned, but the Raiders are always known to come from behind and win it at the end. I'm proud of this team. 14 years of mediocrity and not seeing a single game in January is over! More to come in the full recap.

Q3

OAK 13 SD 16

The Raiders managed to put a scoring drive in place to start the 3rd quarter finally. But, unfortunately they have to settle for a Sebass field goal. They just can't seem to get into the end zone. Meanwhile, the Chargers made it look easy on their first drive, putting together a TD. However, Josh Lambo's missed PAT makes it a one possession lead still with the Raiders in possession of the ball. Welp, hearts racing in the 4th quarter again. Let's see if the Carr-diac kids can do it again like they have all season long.

Week 15: RAIDERS @ San Diego Chargers 1st Half Open Thread and Discussion

Welcome to the 1st half open thread and discussion of the Raiders' Week 15 divisional matchup vs. the San Diego Chargers. Leave a comment below to post your thoughts on the game.

Q2

OAK 10 SD 10

This team just finds ways to overcome. The offense and defense got off to a really slow start. As mentioned, the defense allowed an opening drive TD in a long time. But, they've stifled the Chargers all game long and only allowed a field goal. The offense, Murray had a bad fumble. Carr had a bad interception. If it weren't for those turnovers, we would be talking a possible two possession game right now. The Raiders were in good position to score, putting up solid drives, but instead of TDs, let alone field goals, they turn it over. They managed to get it going in the 2-minute drill at the end of this quarter. The running game has been a constant this game so far. Richard, Murray, and Washington each did their thing. It's good to see DeAndre Washington active. I feel the running game is much better when the Raiders have their three-headed monster in the backfield. Murray found a great hole for 30+ yards. And, how about Michael Crabtree? The man never ceases to amaze us with his hands and concentration on where the chalk is to stay in bounds. Clutch TD catch by Crabs to end the half to tie it up. Now after that drive, that should at least build the momentum up for the Raiders. They get the ball to start in the 2nd half and to be honest, I haven't impressed with the offensive playcalling when they get the ball to start. They have to take advantage and take the lead early. Kansas City lost to Tennessee earlier today. The Raiders have to capitalize on every opportunity given to them. The 2nd half open thread will open up shortly.

Q1

OAK 3 SD 7 

A lot of  jitters to start. The defense has not allowed a opening drive TD this season and what happened? Philip Rivers finds Travis Benjamin for a deep TD. That was pretty bad coverage. They had to account for Benjamin to remove the deep threat. Offense started slow, got better, and Murray's fumble just took the air out of a very solid drive that was set up by Richard's running. Game is close though as the defense has started to put the clamps on after allowing that opening drive TD.

MechG TrueRaiderLaker Update: 12/17

Hey guys, I just wanted to provide an update considering I haven't posted up anything since covering the Raiders-Bills game back on Sunday, December 4. I said in the conclusion of my full recap that I won't be covering the Thursday Night Raiders-Chiefs game because I still had night classes on Thursday and I couldn't provide open thread discussion and full recap for the game.

On another note, I didn't provide any quick recaps on Laker games the last few days. Overall, I suspended posting on this blog temporarily without notifying you guys (applies to all Lakers and Raiders posts). There was a death in my family and I've spent these couple days in mourning alongside my family. I didn't want to ruin anybody's happy mood, but that's why I wasn't on the blog providing Quick Fact Checks on the Lakers' recent skid before they gained a W against Philadelphia last night. If anybody's wondering, I'm okay right now and I'm ready to move on and resume activities. No need to comment condolences on this post, but if you guys want to, thank you for the support. Raider Nation, Laker Nation, we have each other's backs and we stand by our brothers and sisters who are going through difficult times.

In closing, posts will resume tomorrow. I won't provide a quick fact check on the Lakers' matchup vs. the Cavs tonight, but as always, I'll keep track of the score. But I'll be back in business, especially when the Lakers face the Heat on TNT Thursday and the Clippers on Christmas Day. There will be open thread and full recap posts on those games. Tomorrow, the Raiders play the Chargers and the Raiders can clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2002. I'll provide open thread and full recap posts on that game tomorrow afternoon.

Raiders Rally and Pull Away vs. Bills to go to 10-2

Welcome in to the full recap of the Raiders' Week 13 matchup vs. the Buffalo Bills. The Raiders get to that magic double-digit number to keep pace for a playoff spot, beating the Bills 24-38 while scoring 21 unanswered points in the 2nd half.

We have to start getting used to this feeling. The way Buffalo came out of the 2nd half, things just looked bleak. It's like "welp, we gotta just forget about this game and move on to Kansas City." We're just used to the feeling that because the Raiders are down by too much, we can already sense a loss coming in. This team, they just won't be denied. No matter what the score is, no matter the situation, they will continue to fight until the end. And as a result, Carr took this game over for the offense. Mack took this game over for the defense. The legend of the 2014 draft continues to unfold before our very eyes.

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Khalil Mack, 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. You can't stop him, but you can only hope to contain him. If it weren't for a couple of blatant holds that the refs missed, Mack would've blown up the stats sheet more. There is absolutely no question Mack is a DPOY candidate. The Bills may have fooled him on a couple of plays, but you don't want to piss this guy off. Mack taking on the Bills' O-line and absolutely wrecking them. He forces the ball out of Tyrod Taylor's hands, setting up Nate Allen's free INT and when the Bills were driving, Mack once again strikes with a strip sack and fumble recovery to seal the deal. What a beast!

AC/DC/MC. Triple threat! Derek Carr, 19 of 35 passes, 260 yards, 2 TDs. Amari Cooper, 2 reception, 59 yards, and 1 TD. Michael Crabtree 7 receptions, 74 yards, and 1 TD. But, mostly Carr has played a big part here. Shotgun formation all day long. The offense went off to a slow start, but he still willed the Raiders to yet another offensive rally. Crabtree had a key drop for a game tying TD in the 1st half, but he made up for it with a TD to get the rally going. Coop was quiet all game long until he shakes off a defender for the go-ahead score for the lead. Coop and Crab keep showing why they are one heck of a tandem and it helps when they have a ball-slinging quarterback like Carr.

Perry Riley Jr., 10 tackles. Perry Riley is proving to be yet another waiver-wire steal away from the Redskins. The Raiders definitely missed him last week against Carolina. LeSean McCoy is a elusive runner to stop and Riley stopped them in his tracks when needed.

Running game. The Bills had a majority of control on the run game, but once the 2nd half hit, Murray and Richard hit it to another level. Murray finished with 20 carries on 82 yards and 2 TDs. Jalen Richard racked up 53 yards on 9 carries. Tay Train has proven enough he is a goal line threat with his size. But how about Richard? I thought he ran hard out there and found some really good holes and running lanes to help out the run game. Overall, the 2nd half was where the run game found its groove and Murray and Richard are building up that reputation as "Thunder and Lightning."

Mychal Rivera, 3 receptions, 57 yards. It's a crime that I didn't put Clive Walford on the positives last week because he stepped up. This week, it was Rivera who picked up the slack. I'm telling you if this Tight End position gets going, the Raiders are going to be invincible offensively. Walford had a quiet game today, but Rivera stepped up to be Carr's security blanket when Crabtree, Cooper, and Roberts were being covered.

(-)

The slow start and the start of the 2nd half were pretty much the only negatives this game. It's a testament to way this played and how they rallied to win this game. Not a lot of negatives.

MVP

Khalil Mack, 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

Encore Mack! Encore! Every day we're reminded how lucky we are that Mack fell to the Raiders at the #5 pick in the 2014 draft. When it's his time to take over games, he just goes full on beast mode regardless what the stats say.



Conclusion

10-2! Back at the 1st place spot in the AFC! If I told anybody 4 years ago the Raiders would've started a season 10-2, I would've gotten laughed at and people would say I was delusional. But, this year it's definitely real. As I said before, regardless of the outcome, this team just won't throw in the towel. It's what Jack Del Rio said in the beginning of the season: last year, they knew how to compete. This year, they know how to win. The will to win is undeniable on this team. But, not a lot of time to celebrate as the Raiders have a date with destiny with the Chiefs on Thursday Night. It would've safe to assume that the Raiders would look ahead and the Bills would take advantage of that, but they just take it one game at a time. Now definitely, they can put the Chiefs on the bulletin. Despite this magical start, the critics are saying it all the time: "the Raiders can't the beat the Chiefs." "The Chiefs will jump the Raiders and steal the AFC West from them." Chiefs this. Chiefs that. We are tired of this Chiefs talk. Yes, Arrowhead Stadium is always a tough place to play at. But look, the Raiders handled the crowd noise at the Superdome in New Orleans. They've handled a lot of noise on the road and they are 5-0 on the road. The Chiefs had two weeks to prepare in the first matchup. This time around, it's a level playing field with each team coming off short weeks. The bad news though, I will not be covering this game, which totally sucks. I still have one more week into the semester and I always have a night class on Thursday. But I will find a way to keep track of this game because this is huge and could decide the AFC West. I won't see you guys on the blog, but let's go Raiders! Go into Arrowhead, shut up all the Chiefs talk, and just win!

Week 13: RAIDERS vs. Buffalo Bills 2nd Half Open Thread and Discussion

The 2nd half of the Raiders-Bills Week 13 matchup. As usual, leave a comment below to post your thoughts on the game during the half.

Q4

BUF 24 OAK 38

That was a long 18 seconds. The comeback kids. Better yet, the "Carr-diac" kids do it again and Mack showed why he's a force in the league. We should be proud of this team. It doesn't matter what the deficit is. They just won't give up and now the Raiders have willed themselves to 6 straight wins and piling onto this magical season at now 10-2. Stay tuned for the full recap.

Q3

BUF 24 OAK 23

This has been the narrative of the Raiders this season. Never count them out! The Bills came out of the gate scoring 14 unanswered points. I'll admit that was pretty frustrating to see the defense let up on those two scores. But, here come the Carr-diac kids again. Carr finds a pass to Michael Crabtree to cut the lead to eight. Jalen Richard had a good return and a couple of good runs to set up the Tay Train for a TD. All of a sudden it wen from 24-9 to 24-23. Do not count these Raiders out! Let's see if this team has another magical 4th quarter comeback in place.

Week 13: RAIDERS @ Buffalo Bills 1st Half Open Thread and Discussion

Welcome to the 1st half Open Thread and Discussion of the Raiders' Week 13 matchup vs. the Buffalo Bills. Leave a comment below and post your thoughts on the first half.

Q2

BUF 10 OAK 9

Old, reliable Janikowski with all 9 points for the Raiders. It is a much-needed field goal to cut the deficit to 1 point. The offense had some strides here and there, but they've been hampered by a pair of penalties and a couple of dropped passes. Carr did a good job using the hard count to draw the Bills defense off sides to extend the play more. Despite being limited with the shotgun formation due to Carr's injured pinky, they've put together some methodical drives, just couldn't get it into the end zone. Crabtree's drop on the Raiders' 2nd to last drive hurt. Roberts had a drop before that too. The execution is there. But like I said, penalties are nullifying big plays and of course the drops. The defense is playing really short-handed, but they're doing as much as they could preventing Tyrod Taylor and LeSean McCoy from fully taking off. Despite the goal line touchdown, the defense is not breaking. Excessive shotgun formations are definitely hurting the run game. Latavius Murray and Jalen Richard have found some holes, but the Bills' front has been stout for a majority of the game. The Bills get the ball back. Defense needs to force a quick 3 and out. The offense is slowly, but surely finding its groove and should get going in the 2nd half. The 2nd half open thread will open up shortly.

Q1

BUF 3 OAK 3

Early defensive battle in this game so far. The Raiders had a couple of big play opportunities, but as usual, penalties are nullifying those big plays. Amari Cooper had a big play, illegal formation. Jalen Richard had a big run, holding. Meanwhile the defense is bending, but not breaking, holding the Bills to just 3 points on their first drive. Nice job by Bruce Irvin on not giving up on the play after being pancaked by Mike Gillislee. But, the Bills are threatening again to score. Let's see if the defense can hold them to a field goal again.

Lakers Drop 2nd Back-to-Back Game to Shorthanded Grizzlies

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

I'd say the Lakers were more short-handed. Calderon left early in the game with an injury. D'Lo, LNJ, and Swaggy P are out. The ever-dependent Sweet Lou, Lou Williams lead the Lakers with a season high 40 points off the bench, but the effort just came up short as the Lakers wound up losing to the Grizzlies 100-103. Luol Deng is starting to show some life on the roster, racking up 18 points to go with 5 rebounds and 4 steals and Timofey Mozgov added 13 points. Meanwhile the Laker young guns failed to get anything going. Brandon Ingram was held to 9 points and hampered by 5 turnovers. Julius Randle had an off-night, scoring 6 points on 3-8 shooting and Jordan Clarkson had a woeful shooting night scoring 8 points on 4-16 shooting. This is part of the growing pains guys.

Final Score: @ Memphis 100-103 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161203/LALMEM#/recap

Highlights: *courtesy of Ximo Pierto*

Next Game: vs. Utah (12/05)

Lakers Eviscerated by Raptors

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

I think this is the 3rd game this season where the Lakers get run out of the building against a very good NBA team. Brandon Ingram continues to make strides as he lead the Lakers with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. But the Raptors just had too much firepower in them as they rout the Lakers 80-113 behind Kyle Lowry's 24 point performance. Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams did work for the bench once again. Clarkson lead all scorers with 14 points and Lou Williams followed closely behind with 13 points.

Final Score: @ Toronto 80-113 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161202/LALTOR#/recap

Highlights: *Courtesy of Ximo Pierto*

Next Game: @ Memphis (12/03)

Lakers Beat Bulls Behind Julius Randle's Monster Game

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

Double-Double Machine Randle! Despite the horrid field goal shooting, 4-13 from the field, Julius Randle notched yet another double-double with 13 points and he was a complete monster on the boards, grabbing 20 rebounds. I could be wrong, but that should be a career-high for Randle in terms of rebounding. Nonetheless, the Lakers rallied to beat the Bulls 96-90 behind the performance from "The Monster." Luol Deng added 10 points and 8 rebounds to round out the starters. Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams once again provided the scoring and were co-leaders in scoring off the bench with 18 points. Larry Nance Jr. also had double-double himself, notching 12 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

Final Score: @ Chicago 96-90 [W]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161130/LALCHI#/recap

Highlights: *Courtesy of Ximo Pierto*

Next Game: @ Toronto (12/02)

Lakers Fall to Pelicans in New Orleans

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

Anthony Davis has been a one-man wrecking crew so far this season. Lou Williams lead all scorers with 16 points off the bench to go with 3 rebounds and 4 assists, but the Lakers had no answer for the unibrow. Yes, I'm talking about Anthony Davis as his 41 points, 16 rebound performance powered the Pelicans past the Lakers 88-105. Julius Randle returned to the lineup after missing a couple games with a hip pointer injury, recording a double-double in his return with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Timofey Mozgov almost recorded a double-double with 10 points and 9 rebounds to go along with 2 blocks.

Final Score: @ New Orleans 88-105 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161129/LALNOP#/recap

Highlights: *courtesy of Ximo Pierto*

Next Game: @ Chicago (Tonight 5:00 PM Pacific Time)

Lakers Sweep Hawks in Bounce Back Win

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

Always a great feeling on this blog when the Raiders and Lakers win on Sunday. Jordan Clarkson, all-around was the top performer of the Lakers scoring 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists off the bench to help the Lakers get back on track with 94-109 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Lou Williams lead all scorers off the bench with 21 points and Larry Nance Jr. grabbed a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Nick Young returned to lineup and was the only starter in double figures with 17 points.

Final Score: vs. Atlanta 94-109 [W]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161127/ATLLAL#/recap

Highlights: *courtesy of Ximo Pierto*

Next Game: @ New Orleans (11/29)

Raiders Hold on to Beat Panthers for First Winning Season Since 2002

Welcome in to the full recap of the Raiders Week 12 matchup vs. the Carolina Panthers where the Raiders pull it out yet again in a roller coaster thriller, beating the Panthers 32-35 and posting their first winning season since 2002, standing at 9-2.

I'm not lying to you when I say this, I have some tear drops falling while I'm posting this recap. I was 9 years old the last time the Raiders had a winning record. I've had blurry memories on those days with Rich Gannon, Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, Jerry Porter, Zack Crockett, Tyrone Wheatley, Charles Woodson. Season after season, they've gone 4-12 and 5-11. Throw in some 2-14, 3-13, 7-9, and 8-8 when Lechler and Sebass were arguably the best players on the roster. Too many player turnovers with Randy Moss, Warren Sapp, Andrew Walter, JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski, Justin Fargas, Robert Gallery, Richard Seymour, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Roland McClain, Darren McFadden, etc. And too many coaching turnovers with Norv Turner, Tom Cable, Lane Kiffin, Art Shell, Dennis Allen, etc. Just looking at that list leaves you with some nostalgia and a lot of pain inside. Now, you can put that all to rest! Add this game to the list of polarizing victories this season. The first half, the Raiders looked dominant. They were gonna run the Panthers out of town. Then, the third quarter happened when Carr dislocated his pinky. Not the sight you want to see, but never underestimate his toughness in finishing the game out. The Raiders have overcome a lot of adversity in the 4th quarter. To them, this was normal. Blew a 17 point lead? No problem. Win the game by 3. Great win.

(+)

Derek Carr, 26 of 38 passes, 315 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT. Carr is a certified tough guy. That's the Mamba Mentality that Carr has. If you're a Laker fan and Raider fan like myself you'd understand how Kobe played. Didn't matter if he had foot injuries, knee injuries, finger dislocation, he still played through the pain and willed the Lakers to a victory. There's nothing that can hold this "Carr" down. He was solid throughout the whole game, especially in the first half. Then after that pinky injury, he did throw a pick to Thomas Davis, but he still kept playing and as usual, laid it all out on the field to keep this team rolling to their first winning season.

Khalil Mack, 5 tackles, 1 strip sack, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 1 TD. Whew, that's a lot of stats from Mack. Like I said, I was fired up when Mack had that pick 6 off a Cam Newton screen pass. He could've totaled a lot more sacks, but he kept feasting on the Panthers' O-line and applying a lot of pressure on Newton. There's nothing much to be said with Mack. He is a beast. And when Mario Edwards and Aldon Smith come back, he's definitely going to turn it on in the sacks. This game, he showed he can do it all.

Michael Crabtree, 8 receptions, 110 yards. Oh no, Crabtree has played like garbage the last two games. As Aaron Rodgers would say: "R-E-L-A-X." He did promise he was going to come back strong after the last game and he lived up to it. Crabtree, the best hands in the league, was back this game. And talk about a clutch catch from Derek Carr's deep ball to put Jano within field goal range to win the game. Give the "King Clutch" title back to King Crab!

Bruce Irvin, 3 tackles, 1 sack. Before Cam Newton goes to sleep, he checks under his bed for Bruce Irvin. Aside from Von Miller, Irvin has been a thorn on the side for Newton. This dates back to the Seattle Seahawks days. The stats sheet might show Irvin had a quiet game, but he was applying a lot pressure on the edge to make Newton as uncomfortable as can be.

(-)

The third quarter. Yes, momentum swung in the favor when Derek Carr got hurt for a brief moment. But, if anything, the team as whole has to keep playing at that moment. Keep the momentum going forward instead of giving it up. As mentioned, the Panthers scored 18 unanswered points. Hopefully this young team learns to play regardless of the situation, especially when the franchise quarterback gets hurt.

Running game. Once again, the running game gets stuffed by a very big, physical D-line. We have to give credit to the Panthers' defense in that category. The one silver lining is that they gave up a goal line TD to Murray, but other than that, their run defense played lights out.

Secondary. Oh man, I saw T.J. Carrie getting burned. Sean Smith got burned, although he did play an "OK" game. Antonio Hamilton was on the field when D.J. Hayden got hurt. Speaking of Hayden, we might as well change his name P.I. Hayden. He's solid when he's a nickel corner at best. Considering Amerson was inactive, it was frustrating watching the secondary give up big plays to keep Carolina hanging.

MVP

Khalil Mack 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, INT, TD

"No doubt." "By any means!" First defensive player on the board in my MVP list this season and it couldn't be more fitting. Mack formally introduced himself to Cam Newton this game and he gets his first pick 6 and 1st fumble recovery off a strip sack. The Untamable Beast!




Conclusion

9-2! Say it with me now, 9-2! Regardless what happens this season, this is going to be something to remember. There are a lot of football games left though to get to the "P word." Hopefully Carr's finger turns out to be okay because we're gonna need him for the stretch run. This team gives us heart attacks, but as long as they win in the end it doesn't matter. Now addressing the elephant in the room: the NFL could decide on Aldon Smith's reinstatement possibly on Friday because that's the expiration date of his 60-day reinstatement window. With no Mario Edwards in sight, this news could give the defense the spark they need to play better solid football. So stay tuned for that. But, five games left. The Raiders' remaining road games are against division rivals and they get Buffalo next week and Indianapolis on Christmas Eve. Next week's matchup could be a trap game because the Raiders could be caught looking ahead to the pivotal Thursday Night rematch vs. the Chiefs in Kansas City. But as long as they continue to take it one game at a time, the sky is the limit. Happy days are here again. The Raiders have compiled a winning season finally! Now let's keep the train rolling! Just keep chalking up those W's! I'll see you guys next week for the game against the Buffalo Bills.

Week 12: RAIDERS vs. Carolina Panthers 2nd Half Open Thread and Discussion

The 2nd half of the Raiders-Panthers week 12 matchup. Leave a comment below the post and share your thoughts on the half.

Q4

CAR 32 OAK 35

I have seen it all from this team already this season. Down 17 on the road, they come back to win with a two-point conversion. Set the record for most penalties in one game, still win. Some controversial calls, still win. Blowing a 17 point lead and the franchise quarterback getting hurt and they still find a way to win. This team will not bow. They will not give up. The will to win burns bright in this team! Al Davis is smiling somewhere up in the skies. After 14 painful seasons, we finally have a winning season! Stay tuned for the full recap.

Q3

CAR 25 OAK 24

Wow, the first half was awesome. The start of the 2nd half not so much. Our worst fear of Derek Carr getting injured has manifested itself. The Raiders were putting together a solid offensive drive to start and then it just crashing down when Carr got his pinky finger dislocated on the snap. Matt McGloin comes in and didn't do much. The Panthers cashed in the opportunity, scoring 18 unanswered points. 12 of them was when Carr was out. The next 6 was off a turnover from Carr throwing with a glove. This quarter sucked the air out of the momentum that the Raiders had. They've overcome a lot of adversity in the 4th quarter. Let's see what this next chapter will unfold.

Week 12: RAIDERS vs. Carolina Panthers 1st Half Open Thread and Discussion

Welcome to the 1st half of the Raiders' week 12 matchup vs. the defending NFC Champions, Carolina Panthers. Leave a comment below the post on your thoughts during the half.

Q2

CAR 7 OAK 24

Now that was a fun quarter to watch! The Panthers are better than what their record indicates, but the Raiders are not taking anything lightly. All three phases are running well: offense, defense, and special teams. If it weren't for that roughing the passer penalty on Stacy McGee, the Raiders would've pitched a shutout so far. This is the kind of performance we've been waiting for from the Raiders all season long. I'm still fired up on that pick 6 by Khalil Mack to close out the quarter. That was a great athletic play to read the misdirection throw by Cam Newton. The negatives I can only pinpoint is that running game is not doing so well. The Panthers' D-line are doing a great job keeping the run game in check, but Tay Train was still able to punch in one rushing TD. Then, the last few offensive possessions I thought were a little too conservative. Some quick 3 and outs, pretty dangerous to leave all those points on the field for Cam and the Panthers offense. This should be a complete blowout right out of the gate. But, there's satisfaction to be taken in with this dominant first half performance. Derek Carr is distributing the ball well and the offense is just putting together solid, methodical drives to gas out the Panthers defense. The defense is creating a lot of pressure on the Panthers and their banged up O-line. Now, 2nd half, usually in the past, when the Raiders were up by this kind of margin, they put their foot off the gas and let the game be a lot closer than it is. They need to "keep pounding" on this Panthers team. No ifs, ands, or buts. Make the necessary adjustments and run the Panthers out of the Coliseum and straight out of Oakland! The 2nd half post will open up shortly.

Q1

CAR 7 OAK 7

So, Cam Newton gets his wish for the refs to call more roughing the passer calls. Defenses still do it, but when it's the Raiders, the flags come out immediately. But, aside from that, great start for the Raiders holding the Panthers to nothing on their first possession. Carr and the offense had a pair of very methodical drives. I gotta give Musgrave credit for a solid game plan to start. But going back to the last drive by the Panthers, I thought that penalty was questionable. No way Stacy McGee would've stopped his momentum going forward. But, gotta live with it. Still more football to go.

Lakers Didn't Upset Warriors at Staples This Time Around

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

We know D'Angelo Russell is out for 3 weeks with a sore knee, Julius Randle is day-to-day with a hip pointer, and Nick Young was out this game. A team can only do so much short-handed. Jordan Clarkson was the Lakers' top performer, notching 20 points and 5 steals as a starter, but the Lakers just couldn't hang with the Big 4 of the Warriors as Curry, Thompson, Green, and Durant were all in double figures to help beat the Lakers 109-85. Brandon Ingram had a woeful shooting night, scoring 8 points on 3-18 shooting, but managed to grab 9 rebounds and 2 steals. Lou Williams lead all scorers off the bench with 13 points while Larry Nance Jr. followed closely with 11 points and 7 rebounds. Thomas Robinson also had a solid game off the bench, racking up 6 points and 10 rebounds.

Final Score: vs. Golden State 109-85 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161125/GSWLAL#/recap

Highlights: *Courtesy of Ximo Pierto*

Next Game: vs. Atlanta (11/27)

Lakers Get Hammered by Warriors

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

Remember the last game against the Warriors I said they'll be out looking for blood next time around? Well, that has manifested itself tonight. To make matters worse, D'Lo and Randle were both out so the Lakers were pretty much overmatched. Looks like we have a three way tie on the leading scorers for the Lakers, but let's address the starters. Brandon Ingram continues to make baby steps forward, scoring 16 points and hitting two 3 pointers while starting in place of Julius Randle. But, the Lakers got dominated, plain and simple. They lose to the Warriors 106-149. Timofey Mozgov added 12 points on 5-7 shooting to round out the starters. Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams were co-leading scorers off the bench as both players chipped in 16 points. The Lakers get the Warriors again on Friday after Thanksgiving.

Final Score: @ Golden State 106-149 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161123/LALGSW#/recap

Highlights: *To be posted*


Next Game: vs. Golden State (11/25)

Lakers Hold Off Thunder

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

Wow, the Thunder tonight and the Warriors back-to-back for tomorrow and Friday. That is one tough stretch for the young Lakers squad, but a win tonight was a good step forward. Jordan Clarkson was the Lakers' top performer, scoring 18 points off the bench to go with 4 assists and 4 steals to help the Lakers snap a two-game losing streak in 109-111 victory over Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Lou Williams followed JC with 13 points off the bench and Brandon Ingram gets his first double-digit point total of his NBA career with 11 points and finally finding the range with three 3-pointers. For the starters, Nick Young lead all scorers with 17 points, including hitting the game-winner, Timofey Mozgov followed closely with 16 points, and Jose Calderon with a surprise performance chipped in 12 points with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Hmmm, the Lakers beat OKC at home and they go to Oakland to face the Warriors tomorrow. *Gulp.* But, we'll see.

Final Score: vs. Oklahoma City 109-111 [W]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161122/OKCLAL#/recap

Highlights: *Highlights courtesy of NBA Conference*

Next Game: @ Golden State (11/23)

Raiders Outlast Texans in a Monday Night Mexican Standoff

Welcome in to the full recap of the Raiders' Monday Night game vs. the Houston Texans in Mexico where the Raiders reclaim sole possession of first place in the AFC West beating the Texans 20-27.

Aside from the OT win against the Bucs Week 8, this is up there as one of the more polarizing victories we can take in. We take the win, but the penalties were excruciating. As I said, the Texans looked like the better team out there. Brock Osweiler, Lamar Miller, and the Texans, they were gashing the defense all game long. They were keeping Derek Carr in check defensively. But, the Raiders just made the bigger plays and yes, we got a little help. There'll be two controversies that'll be talked about in this game: DeAndre Hopkins ruled out of bounds when his foot wasn't on the white chalk and of course, the 4th and inches in the 4th quarter that was ruled short. But as Khalil Mack would say: "by any means" and the Raiders found another way to win when the odds were stacked against them.

(+)

*I'm having a hard time to take away any positives here. Bear with me.*

Jamize Olawale, 3 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD. The master of the wheel route! The expectations were high for Olawale when the Raiders cut Reece, but we knew Olawale was a stud. In the 4th quarter, Olawale executed the wheel route to perfection and he was off to the races for a 75 yard touchdown. Aside from Amari Cooper's go-ahead touchdown for the lead, Olwale's play was critical for the Raiders to get back into this game.

Jalen Richard, 3 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD. I'm not going to include the rushing stats because the run game was non-existent all game long. But Richard stepped it up, scoring the first TD of the game. In the 4th quarter, he made a clutch catch from Derek Carr as the clock winded down to the 2 minute warning.

Defense. The defense had to be catching their breath from playing a long time in that Mexico City altitude. They couldn't get off the field on 3rd downs early on. Penalties also couldn't get them off the field. But I commend them for holding their ground all game long. Get all the oxygen you can get guys.

Derek Carr, 21 of 31 passes, 295 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT. His 1 INT to start the 3rd quarter was bad, but drops by the receivers really hurt his stats. Also the fact that the running game couldn't get going, Carr had to carry the team. He made big throws at the right time. Most of his throws aside from the INT were money. It's just that the receivers were dropping a lot passes.

(-)

The running game. I gotta tip my hat off to the Texans' defense on this negative. Clowney, Mercilus, Wilfork (still a good run stuffer), they were pushing the O-line back and making the negative plays. The running game did show up at the end of the game, but they couldn't get anything going and the Texans' defense did a good job on that.

Drops. There were a lot of them. Seth Roberts had a couple drops. Michael Crabtree, definitely Michael Crabtree had a couple of uncharacteristic drops. Crabtree has been relatively quiet the last two games. Hopefully, he can shake this off and have a nice bounceback game against the Panthers next week.

Controversy. Yup, DeAndre Hopkins out of bounds and the 4th down play will overshadow this victory. Hopkins, no question was inbounds. But like I said on the 4th down, I think because the runner's knee was down before the ball extend the mark, I think that's the rationale why they ruled the turnover on downs. But, this will be talked about over this win.

MVP

Derek Carr 21 of 31 passes, 295 passing yards, 3 TDs

I don't think anybody deserved MVP after this game. But, I'd say Derek Carr deserved this. The stats could've been more if it weren't for the drops, but Carr did make the clutch throws for the explosive plays down the stretch.




Conclusion

Sloppy game. Controversial game. But at the end of the day, a win is a win. Kansas City lost last night and the Raiders are sole possession in 1st place. The cushion could be even greater when KC plays Denver next week. But overall, this was not a great game for the Raiders performance-wise, but hey, all that matters is that they put another W in the column. Interesting stat, the Raiders are now 4-0 in primetime games with Derek Carr under center. It goes to show the bright lights do not phase our quarterback no matter the scenario. The Panthers are in town next week. This could be another close game like this one, but their secondary does not match up well with the receivers. But, 4-game win streak, 1st place in the AFC West. It feels great Raider Nation. Since this game was in Mexico, I'll say Buenas Noches and Hasta Luego for next week's game vs. the Panthers.

Week 11: ¡Viva México! - RAIDERS vs. Houston Texans 2nd Half Open Thread and Discussion

This is the 2nd half of the Raiders' Monday Night game vs. the Texans on Monday Night Football. As usual, leave a comment below the post on your thoughts on the game.

Q4

HOU 20 OAK 27

By any means necessary. This was not a clean game. There'll be a lot of controversy surrounding that 4th down call when the Texans were in the Red Zone. I was mad when I thought they had the 4th down. But, I think the rationale was his knee was down before the runner extended on the first down mark. No question, the Texans outplayed the Raiders, but the Raiders found a way to just win baby. 8-2, alone in first place in the AFC West! Stay tuned for the full recap.

Q3

HOU 17 OAK 13 

The last thing we want to see is an INT thrown. Just on the first drive this quarter, Derek Carr threw to nobody open down the middle, resulting in an INT. The Texans managed to take advantage of that off a couple of bogus P.I. calls. This was a frustrating quarter to watch. The defense has regressed or they are just getting gassed because of the altitude. Just speechless to see this offense not in sync and the Texans are currently driving to look for the kill shot in this game. Everything is clicking for them on offense.

Week 11: ¡Viva México! - RAIDERS vs. Houston Texans 1st Half Open Thread and Discussion

Bienvenidos! Welcome to the 1st half of the Raiders' Week 11 Monday Night matchup vs. the Houston Texans in Mexico City! Leave a comment below the post on your thoughts on the game.

Q2

HOU 10 OAK 10

Well, there are a couple of reasons to draw on why this was a slow start for the Raiders. You have the one week off, the altitude, the soft turf. The offense, aside from the 2nd possession when Carr threw the TD to Richard, they're not executing well. The drops were epidemic in the half. Michael Crabtree, sure-hands, he's dropping some uncharacteristic balls. Seth Roberts too, dropping some balls. Amari Cooper, just that one catch in the first quarter, but other than that, non-existent. But, credit to the Texans defense. They are pushing the Raiders' O-line around, getting good penetration to stuff the run game. The defense also starting slow. You are beginning to wonder if the altitude is starting to take a toll because they've been on the field too long. They couldn't get off the field early on on 3rd down. Overall, I thought the Raiders looked sluggish this half. Certainly, the bye week might've played a factor, but the execution has to be better. We could've been talking 10-14, but instead we're all tied up. Hopefully, they get as many oxygen as they can in the locker room to play 30 more minutes. We just need to see a better second half. That's all that needs to be said.

Q1

HOU 3 OAK 0

Slow start on both ends of the ball. Bye weeks always leave a team rusty and this is a whole different case going to Mexico. The defense couldn't get Osweiler and the Texans' offense off the field on third down. DeAndre Hopkins could've had a walk in TD. Jadeveon Clowney was a big factor in the first offensive possession and lead to a quick 3 and out. But, the Raiders are doing a better job offensively, getting the tight end involved and implementing the no huddle. 

Lakers Drop 2nd Consecutive Home Game vs. Bulls

*Stats from NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

Jimmy Butler was one bad dude this game. Lou Williams lead all scorers with 25 points off the bench, including five 3-pointers (including the half court buzzer beater in the 1st quarter), but the Lakers couldn't find a way to stop Jimmy Butler. Butler's 40 point performance overcame a late Lakers surge as the Lakers fell to the Bulls 118-110. Larry Nance Jr. added 18 points to go with 6 rebounds. For the starters, Nick Young lead all scorers with 15 points and Julius Randle had an uncharacteristic game without being any close to a double-double, but still finished with 14 points. D'Angelo Russell returned to action and racked up 8 points and 7 assists after missing Friday's game.

Final Score: vs. Chicago 118-110 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161120/CHILAL#/recap

Highlights: *courtesy of Ximo Pierto*

Next Game: vs. Oklahoma City (11/22)

Lakers Fall to Spurs Friday Night

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

I managed to catch this game on live stream. Despite the loss, the Lakers continued to fight to the end. The Spurs have been the gold standard of contending under the Gregg Popovich and I'm not mad at this game one bit. Lou Williams was the Lakers' top performer, scoring 24 points off the bench to go with 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, but the Lakers fell just short of their rally against the Spurs 116-107. Jordan Clarkson followed with 20 points. As for the starters, Nick Young lead all scorers with 22 points, Julius Randle racked up 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Luol Deng chipped in 10 points.

Would the Lakers win if D'Angelo Russell played? Probably not. The Spurs are just too good of a team with their size and depth and they are solid defensively. I think the score would've been a lot closer, but the Spurs would still claw it out. As for people harping on Brandon Ingram with 4 points on 1-9 shooting during last night's game, just stop. Remember, Kobe was in the same position in his rookie year in 1996 averaging just 7 points a game off the bench and he gradually improved over time to become one of the all-time greats. Give it time with Ingram. The kid is only 19 years old. His shot will fall eventually, but everything else, he's doing great as a defender and facilitator.

Final Score: vs. San Antonio 116-107 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161118/SASLAL#/recap

Highlights: *courtesy of Ximo Pierto*

Next game: vs. Chicago (11/20)

Russell and Randle Power Lakers Past Nets Tuesday Night

*Stats courtesy from NBA.com and Yahoo! Sports*

R&R baby! That should be nickname of the duo of D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle. D'Lo is to the Nets what Kobe was to the Raptors, they just seem to go off when the Lakers play them. Russell scored a season high 32 points and hitting seven 3-pointers to go with 8 rebounds and 4 assists to help the Lakers hold off the Nets in a high scoring affair at the Staples Center, 118-125. Julius Randle went from double-double machine to triple-double machine, recording 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. Hmmm, don't those numbers remind you of a certain #30 and #23 from Golden State? Anyway, Timofey Mozgov continues to prove doubters wrong showing he's worth the contract, going into MozGOD mode with 20 points and 6 rebounds to round out the starters. Jordan Clarkson, despite a 4-12 shooting night racked up 13 points and notched 5 steals and how about Tarik Black? Give him the minutes and he'll deliver. Black had a solid game off the bench, almost recording a double-double of 12 points and 9 rebounds.

Final Score: vs. Brooklyn 118-125 [W]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161115/BKNLAL#/recap

Highlights: *courtesy of Ximo Pierto* <-- b="">Be sure to check out his NBA content and subscribe!

Next Game: vs. San Antonio (11/18)

Lakers Denied Perfect Road Trip vs. T'Wolves

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com*

It was expected that this team was gonna fall flat on a back-to-back stretch after putting on a show Saturday night against the Pelicans. However, I'm hearing a lot of stories that the officiating played a factor into this game. Lou Williams, consistent as usual, lead all Lakers in scoring, coming off the bench with 17 points, but that doesn't compare to Andrew Wiggins' performance. Wiggins' 47 point explosion helped the Timberwolves pull off a decisive 99-125 win against the purple and gold. Jordan Clarkson followed Sweet Lou with 14 points off the bench and Brandon Ingram added 10 points (glad to see he's okay after that injury on Saturday). Onto the starters, everybody was ice cold except Julius Randle and Luol Deng. Randle added 14 points despite a 5 turnover performance and Deng contributed 13 points (Deng is known for this kind of performance and he can be hot one game and cold on the other, but has been a non-factor in scoring until now).

Final Score: @ Minnesota 99-125 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20161113/LALMIN#/recap

Highlights: *courtesy of Ximo Pierto*

Next Game: vs. Brooklyn (11/15)